§ MR. J. P. FARRELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the present appointment of Mr. Alexander W. Percival, of Minard, county Longford, as a justice of the peace for county Longford, and will he say on whose recommendation the lord-lieutenant of the county made this appointment; how many Catholic and Protestant magistrates have since April 1st, 1899, been appointed in county Longford; and whether, in view of the fact that ninety-one per cent, of the population of county Longford is Catholic, he will suggest to the Lord Chancellor the desirability of more equitably manning the magisterial bench in that county.
§ MR. WALTER LONGMr. Percival was, in the usual course, appointed by, the Lord Chancellor upon the recommendation of His Majesty's lieutenant of the county. Ten magistrates have been appointed since April 1st, 1899, of whom it is believed six are members of the Irish Church, three are Catholics, and one a Methodist. The Lord Chancellor and the lieutenant of the county are always ready to consider the names of any properly qualified Catholic gentlemen which may be brought to their notice.
§ MR. J. P. FARRELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that on several occasions public boards in the county have sent forward the names of responsible Catholic gentlemen, and no attention has been paid to them?
§ MR. WALTER LONGI am not aware of that.